Peter Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) describes the use of models to help us frame questions to ask of the world, and which help us become explicit about our world views, assumptions, frames of reference, theories of cause and effect, values, and desired outcomes. Checkland, P. (2006) Learning for action: A short definitive account of […]
Tag: management
A reflection on mixed methods research in adult education
Introduction The Research Problem The purpose of this paper is to offer one vision of developing a methodological theory of mixed methods research co-equal with that of quantitative and qualitative research. I use a case study of the US Army Command & General Staff College engaged in a redesign of its curriculum, its teaching practices […]
Traders Roundtable: Maximum Compounded Return Versus Fear of Drawdown
In a recent traders roundtable discussion on the subject of balancing maximum gain with risk management the question was posed how to reconcile these two issues. A few definitions for the purposes of this essay are in order. First let’s consider maximum compounded return to be defined as a system that is traded at every […]
A Reflection on Crafting Qualitative Research Questions
In chapter 7, Creswell (2009, pp. 129-132) identifies the following general procedure and considerations for crafting qualitative research questions. 1. Ask one or two central questions followed by no more than 5 to 7 sub questions 2. relate the central question to the specific qualitative strategy of inquiry 3. begin the research questions with the […]
Testing the Word 2007 Blog publishing template
This is to see how things come through when written in Word 2007 and pushed to the blog site. Here is a sample picture: Am wondering how tags and categories are handled?
Traders roundtable discussion: the issue of optimization in research
We were having a traders’ roundtable discussion on the topic of researching potential trading systems and the issue of optimization came up. This is a very important topic for traders who want to apply a systematic approach to trading markets. Here are some of the highlights of that discussion for you to consider as you […]
Developing emotional intelligence: a challenge for 21st-century education
In many organizations with a strong hierarchical culture, we place a premium on the deep insights and reflective learning of our most senior leaders. In these organizations it makes a lot of sense in conventional times to value their insights above all others. It would be normal in this kind of organization when faced with […]
The future of education in a net-centric world
reinventinglife.org Surveys of CEOs and futurists alike all agree that the future is calling to us with a need for open systems, open thinking, collaborative organizations, workplaces and attitudes. Net-centric democratic education, public and private movements for social justice, moral and honorable business enterprises, and cross cultural communications all place a premium on skills, tools, […]
when post-positivism meets uncertainty
I am thinking about trying to figure out how to conduct research “properly” in the regions beyond the boundary of post-positivism. Think of a farm that now borders the deep dark woods. In the beginning we have a farm, surrounded by other farms, and over time, we haved figured out through trial and error, what […]
reflecting on the forest past the boundary of post-positivism
Creswell talks about the 4 worldviews that shape the research goals, objectives, methods, interpretive measures, and sense making of researchers. I inherited a post-positivist outlook from my formative years working in a machine shop with designers, engineers, craftsmen, and other shop rats. My years of experience as a planner in the Army helped me appreciate […]